Install Windows on a Mac

Why would you want Windows on a Mac

Many Engineering software packages only run on Windows. Some of the most common include ChemCAD, Civil-3D, Revit, Solidworks, and Microsoft Project & Visio.

System Requirements

Storage
We recommend a minimum of 80gb of free storage space to install Windows. Windows needs approx. 40gb to run well and additional space is needed for applications. Windows cannot be run from an external drive.

Memory (RAM)
Windows requires a minimum of 4gb of RAM. If you only have 4gb of memory on your Mac then your only option for running Windows is via Bootcamp since Windows will need all available memory leaving none for the Mac. If you have 8gb or more of RAM then you also have the option of running Windows in a VM and alloting half of the RAM to Windows.

Bootcamp vs VM

Windows 10

1. Make sure computer is on the campus network (wired or wifi) or via VPN.
2. Open file explorer and navigate to "This PC" on the left.
3. Select the tab at the top labelled "Computer".
4. Select "Map Network Drive".
5. Select the drive letter. This is personal preference but normally we use T, U, L, or P.
6. Enter the shared folder path (example: \\share.ua-net.ua.edu\coe).
7. Check reconnect at sign-in and click "Finish".
8. The network drive should be now mapped and show up in file explorer.

Mac

1. Make sure computer is on the campus network (wired or wifi) or via VPN.
2. Select "Go" in the finder menu bar at the top center of the screen
3. Select "Connect to Server"
4. Enter the name of your server as smb://{your drive name} (example: smb://share.ua-net.ua.edu/coe)
5. Select "Connect"
6. Enter the domain as ua-net, your ua-net userid and password (normally the same as your myBama credentials).
7. Select "OK"
8. The share will appear on the desktop.